Galvanizer



Feb. 8, 1955 E. D. TowNsEND 2,701,546

GALVAN IZER Filed March 3l, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENToR. imc 0. 7w/Ys5w 'le l l 4free/vers Feb. 8, 1955 E. D. TowNsEND GALVANIZER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5l, 1951 KM. ,ww

Feb. 8, 1955 E. D. TowNsEND 2,701,546

GALVANIZER Filed March 5l, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 \\\\M fwwlbn w vvv f\ Rwbf k \m\w 4 l r// L b.. l hx m Feb. 8, 1955 E. D. TowNsEND 2,701,546

, GALVANIZER Filed March 31, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'lllO f4 Tra/@VE )15 United States. VPatent Y GALVALNIZER EarlfD. Townsend, Beaver-Falls, Pa., assigner to The .Youngstown Welding Vc Engineering Company, .`Youngstown,ahio-, a vcorporation of "Ohio .Y ApplicationMarchV 31, 19,51, Serial No. 218,617

22 Claims.A (CL' 11S-"426) vThe present invention 'relates toan apparatus ,for .treating elongated articles, such as pipeso'r. the llke, wlth liquid. material and, more particularly, to. an apparatusi of the so-,called continuous type for applying molten material to pipes or tubes. .1

' The principal objectlo'f the invention 1s .the.prov1s1on of an improved apparatus vfor applying llquid. material to.elongated articles, such. as pipes, tubes and the-like, wherein the articles to -be .treated are-.fed longitudinally in tandem .relationship vinto a tank or, pot of. the materlal adjacentone end. of the tank or -pot and-withdrawnfrom the latter in' like .manner from the .san-le. end in .a substantially, continuous operation. A.

' Another object ofthe- .invention is. theprovlsion of a novel and improved tank or. potadapted to apply .molten material tolelongated articles,s'uch as. pipes,` tubesfor thelike, whiclrtank` or. pot isvformedof relativelyA thin metal and has a major .portionof its. exterior-in'. direct contact with` the., hot. gases: .employed to maintain'. Y 'the material in the 'tank o r.pot inmoltencondition, .a means being provided to move. .the .articles being treated within the pot ortankadjacent the side. walls thereof.

1A. further lobject of. the. invention is .the yprovisionl of a novelandfimproved apparatus for applying-.molten materiall toi elongated articles,..such .aspipes or .the like, which.. apparatus .includes a .tank or pot. for.the molten material. so .constructed and arrangedthatdross canA be 'removed-from.. the.. tank ,without vinterfering with ,treatment of the articles therein, .and the. entire contents of the tank can be'. drained; inthe event it is rnecessary to terminate. heating thereof, thereby preventingthe solidification ofthe molten-material inthetank.

:,An additional object ofzthe. invention is. to, provide an improvedepparatusof .the.,type defined above L.wherein means is.. provided '.withinthetank. 0r pot engagingthe articles. -thereinra'nd projecting...the. ends; thereof abovethe surface of .thestreatingmaterial adjacenttheend ofthe travelof the.. articles. through the tank tothereby facilitatelongitudinal removal of the articles.

Another object. ofthe invention is to.provde.anim proved?, apparatus-Y of. .the Ytypefdeiined. in. the` preceding paragraph.. and further characterized by the provision.. of meansl adjacent .the opening; of .the-.tank orpot for imparting both a longitudinal and lateralmovement to the articles; as `they are .removed through; said opening thereby facilitating .drainage.ofgthearticles .without interfering withthe movement ofthe articles within the-tank orrpot.

The. invention. further, resides in; certain novel constrnctionsand combinations andl arrangements of parts,

and` additional objects. and advantages of the' invention will. be,.apparent` to. .those skilled` in the' art to-which it relates l from 'the following description of the. present preferred embodiment described with-respect to the'accornpanying drawings,.in which similar referenceacharacters designate corresponding parts; a'nd in which:

Fig. 'l is a' plan view of-acontinuous pipe or 'tube gal-` vanlzing apparatus embodying the present invention-With certain: partsomitted for'the lsake of clarity;

'1Figz 2` is aV sectional view" approximately-fon the line ZL-Z ofFig. l;

" Fig". 3 is 'a 'fragmentary end-view taken approximately" on the line 3''-3 of Fig. -2y and illustrating the pipe or tube elevating means" o f the apparatus;

Fig. 4` is asimplied schematic Wiring diagram of a control circuit` for the 'elevating' means shown n Fig. 3;,

*Fig 5 is a sectional view'taken approximately on theV ber: or housinglS is preferably reinforced'` will'be evident that.the

2,701,546 Patented Feb. A8,' T955 -ICC . as-fulll ofpipes orftubes'and spelterito Aillustrate the .-manner inlwhich .the ,pipes ontubes. are introduced yinto-the tank,'moved therein andwithdrawn therefrom.

The. apparatus. ofthis invention is. capablerof-.employment in treating avariety'of vdifferentftypes of` elongated articles. with .liquid material,l butfor the sake. of ls impliity and, clarity' of .disclosure the invention is here. illustrated and described. "solely,as embodied in a galvanizer. for pipes or tubes." It is to be understood, howevenf-that. this restriction of thefdisclosure.doesmnotconstitute arlirnitation upon. .the invention except. as may .be -requiredfby the subjoined claims. k

Hln the illustrated embodiment,` the galvanizing yapparatus comprises a substantially. cylindrical Vtank 'or pot '10 formed of relativelythinmetalandrsupported in vanfinclined position at...an acute angley by va-supporting 'membei ,11 formed of .suitable refractorymaterialand which in turn isprovided upon a base l12 of reinforced concrete or Vthe like. The upper portion' of thetank orpot 10, ladjacent .theforward -end thereof, is provided with arectangular opening V13 throughv which the elongated articles, such. as pipes P or the'like, are adaptedtoz-be introduced-1and .removed as hereinafter explained.,- lflhe forward .end of. the.. tank 10 isclosed, by 4an fendwall-.14 which. extends upwardly providing la-part of a-continuous upstanding flange..15 about the opening A13.- :The rear portion of the tank or pot 10 is provided with a substantially. rectangularly shaped well: i 11Sv having:upwardly: extending. sides reachingto a level` equal to. or greater than thatoftheflang'e 1.5 varound the forward opening,.,tlre :top of thewell 16 being normallytclosedfby a coverx17.

The tank. orv pot A`10 isienclosed within `a -chantberfor housinglSv formed of refractory materiaL-ftheside `walls of the.. chamber being spaced. outwardly from: the. side walls. of .the tank or pot. Vits shown inFig. .5, -the lower p.ortions...1.9 and-20 Vof the -side .Wa-11s of the chamber-for housing 18V may .be formed integral Iwith: or connected tothesupport memberV 11-for-the tank or lpot with a space therebetweemithe vtops of thesesidevwalls.beingffunited by. an arched or grooved domefportion 21. Thechamand/ or u-pr'otectedbyI suitable metal plates-.such as.22."` The endwall 14. andI the Well16 of the tank or pot are.v likewiseren` closed in refractory material having aprotective metal covering; and the-cover 17 is"similarlyconstructed While therefractory material-forming the.-walls. of the vcharnber or housing. 18. Ahas been shown indirect. contact with the .supporting or protective metal plates :such as :'22, it will be: evident that a loose insulating-'materialvsuch as sand, freclay, or `v-the like can bev interposed between thesepartstoxredu'ce heat conduction therethrough,y if desired.

l flheY material forv treating the elongated articles, in th1s casezspelter for-coating vp'pes ortubes P, i`s"ir`1tlro duced` into the tank or pot 10 through the well 1`6fby removing, the cover 17, the spelter the'n being maintained 1n .molten condition by heated gases'. circulatedl about the tank or pot 10. in the spacesA provided between the'latter and the chamber or housing'lS. In the illustrated'con'- struction, heated' gases flow from a source,.not shown, through a manifold23, 'see Figs. 1V and 5, extending parallel 'with the side Wall 19 of the' chamber or housing and entering' the latter through a pluralityv of longitudinally spaced openings '24.' While the* manifoldY 23 has been shown simply as a rectangular opening or duct, it heated gases may .be conducted through bustle.y pipes provided with suitable. insulation or, in sorneinstances, gas may be burned within the .marli-l fold 23 or at' thenopenings 24 by provisionlof. suitable pipes and burnerfjets.

' The heated gases, however produced and conducted to the openings 24, pass throughthe. latter into..the..space between the inner Wall'sof thechamber, or4 housing-.18 and the .outer .Walls of. .the tank. orpoty vlilas-indicated by.the. arrows in Fig. 5..being directed inthisrpathffby suitably shaped refractory material 11a on the side of the tank support member 11 opposite the openings 24. The gases pass from the region adjacent the tank or pot through checker work openings 25 in the wall 20 of the chamber into a longitudinally extending manifold 26 on the opposite side of the apparatus from the inlet manifold 23. From the manifold 26 the gases pass to a muie type furnace, generally designated 27, see Fig. l, in which the pipes P or other articles to be treated are preheated before introduction into the tank or pot 10.

It Will be observed that the dome portion 21 of the chamber or housing 18 engages the walls of the tank or pot 10 at or adjacent the upstanding flange portions of the latter about the openings at the opposite ends of the tank, so that the heated gases circulate about a major portion of the tank or pot 10 in contact with the walls thereof, but such gases are prevented from contacting the molten material within the tank or pot, thus preventing undesired oxidation or other contamination of the material. It will be further noted that, since the well 16 is normally closed by a cap or cover 17, the molten material within the pot 10 has only a very small part of its total surface exposed to the atmosphere since the opening 13 is of relatively small dimensions with respect to the total surface of the spelter or other molten material in the tank or pot. Moreover, it will be evident that the heated gases directly contact the principal or major part of the side walls of the tank or pot as well as the adiacent surface of the well 16 so that there is a highly efficient heat transfer to the material in the pot, it being remembered that the walls of the tank or pot are of only sufficient thickness to give the requisite strength. Furthermore, the eiciency of the apparatus is additonally improved by utilizing the heated gases exhausted from the chamber or housing 18 to preheat the pipes or tubes before their entrance into the galvanizing tank or pot.

Means are provided within the tank or pot 10 to move the tubes or pipes P laterally therethrough closely adjacent the side walls thereof, thus insuring that the pipes or tubes are uniformly at the proper temperature for the galvanizing operation and that the spelter in contact with the tubes is also at the correct temperature, which might not be the case if the tubes or pipes were at different radial distances from the side walls of the container. This means for moving the pipes or tubes P preferably comprise a plurality of sprocket or spider-like members 28 and 29 having recesses or pockets 30 opening radially inwardly from their peripheries in Which the tubes or pipes are received and carried thereby in a circular path adjacent the inner side walls of the tank or pot 10. The members 28, 29 are rotated by mechanism comprising a shaft or tube 31 extending axially through the tank or pot 10 with its inner end supported in a bearing plate 32 adjacent the inner end of the pot and its outer end passing through a suitable sleeve bearing 33 provided in the outer end wall of the tank or pot 10 and the cooperating refractory material adjacent thereto, the shaft 31 being keyed or otherwise connected with the members 28, 29 to effect rotation thereof. Preferably the region adjacent the sleeve bearing 33 is provided with finely divided dry lireclay 34 as indicated in Fig. 2.

= The shaft 31 is connected, externally of the chamber 18 and tank 10, to a tubular drive shaft 35 which in turn is connected with a speed reduction unit 36 driven by an electric motor 37. It will be evident that when the motor 37 is energized, it will effect rotation of the shaft 31 and hence of the members 28 and 29 so that the tubes or pipes P received within the pockets or recesses 30 are carried about in a circular path within the tank or pot 10 and hence through the molten spelter therein. This rotation of the pipes or other members being treated not only provides an effective means of thoroughly coating the latter with the spelter but also stirs the spelter so that any dross within the pot or tank 10 tends to collect at the bottom of the tank and move towards the bottom of the well 16 from which it may be readily removed from time to time by removing the cover 17 and employing a clamshell bucket or other suitable expedient. Consequently, dross may be removed without interfering with the galvanizing of pipes or the like in the tank or pot 10.

` Adiacent the bottom of the well 16 are outlet openings 38 which are normally closed by suitable valve or plug members 39, the latter being here illustrated, and below the openings 38 are suitable pits or receptacles 40.

These pits or receptacles are lined with refractory material with communicating openings such as 41 in the top edges to permit overow from one pit or receptacle to the other. Extending over and dipping into the tops of the pits 40 is a chain or chains 42. The construction is such that, in the event it is necessary to terminate the supply of heated gases to the pot 10, the entire molten contents can be drained into the pits or receptacles 40 so that there is no danger of the molten material hardening within the tank or pot and producing a crust or other formation which cannot readily be liquied by simply resuming heating. When the molten material is thus drained into the pits or receptacles, portions of the chain or chains 42 will become embedded in the material as the latter hardens thus providing a handle by which the solidified material may be removed from the pits or receptacles.

As mentioned heretofore, the apparatus of this invention is intended for operation in a continuous manner as contrasted with batch type operations. Consequently, means are provided for automatically supplying the articles, such as the pipes P, to the tank or pot 10 in timed relation with the rotation of the members 28, 29 and for removing the treated pipes or other articles therefrom without interfering with that rotation. As is readily understood, the pipes or other articles to be treated are iirst subjected to descaling operations, if necessary, and are then pickled by means not shown after which the pipes or other articles may be immersed in a suitable flux bath such as zinc ammonium chloride provided in the container indicated 43 in Fig. l. From this ilux bath the pipes are removed and placed upon skids such as 44 from which they are then transferred, one pipe at a time, to a chain conveyor generally designated 45, which conducts the pipes in spaced relationship to and through the aforementioned mufe furnace 27 where the pipes are preheated by the gases exhausting from the chamber or housing 18 of the galvanizing pot.

The conveyor 45 causes the pipes to drop one-at-a-time into a charging trough or member 46, see Figs. 2 and 3, which is provided adjacent its left-hand end as viewed in Fig. 2 with a pivotal connection to a bracket or supporting member 47. The charging trough 46 is adapted to be periodically rocked about its pivot in timed relation with the rotation of the members 28, 29 in the tank or pot 10 and for this purpose the illustrated embodiment of the apparatus includes links 48 and 49 pivotally connected at spaced points to the underside of the trough 46. The lower ends of these links 48 and 49 are connected with eccentrics 50 and 51 provided on shaft 52 and rotated by a motor 53, the construction being such that each revolution of the shaft 52 rocks the charging trough 46 from its lower position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 to its upper position as shown in broken lines in that figure and then back to its initial position. The chain conveyor 45 is driven in timed relationship with respect to the movement of the trough 46 by any suitable means which, for example, may comprise a sprocket and chain drive 52a interconnecting the shaft 52 and a shaft of the chain conveyor 45, the timed relationship being such that one of the pockets on the chain conveyor 45 carrying a pipe or tube P cornes adjacent the trough 46 each time that the latter is at its lowermost position shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

In the upper position of the trough 46 it is disposed adjacent to the peripheries of magnetic rollers or pulleys 54, 55, 56 and 57 which are of conventional construction and are adapted to attract a pipe or tube P into engagement therewith and move the latter longitudinally as the said pulleys or rollers are rotated. The rotation of the pulleys or rollers such as 54-57 can be effected by individual electric motors, but in the illustrated eml bodiment these pulleys or rollers are driven by a chain 58 driven by a motor 59 through a speed reduction unit 60, the direction of rotation of the pulleys being clockwise as viewed in the drawings so that a pipe or tube is moved thereby towards the tank 10.

The pipes or tubes P in engagement with the magnetic rollers or pulleys 54-57, as just explained, move forwardly into the opening 13 of the tank or pot 10 where they are guided into one of the notches or recesses 30 of the members 28. 29 bv a trough 61 supported upon a vertically extending partition plate 62 mounted in the opening 13 of the tank substantially centrally thereof and dividing the latter into two parts as will be apparent from Fig. 6. The quantity of spelter contained within the pot 19j is such. as tofrise. into. theopening.lwth-fthewunper level` lthereof preferably. at apointabove .the -loweizend'v 0f. hef :plate .62.. A st -litable ruxing .material .63,...see A(Eig. 6, may then.V be. floated. upon .the upper surface; ofzthe spelterA in that portion of. the opening.13 through whichtheitubes or pipes P enter and this; ilux is prevented from moving i,ntofthe. dischargefportion` of theopeningljust to .th`e left` of the plate 62, as Viewed', in Fig., 6.1 twill be. evident, .therefore, .that.the pipes ory tubes Pare, subjected to .auxfmateral 63 as theyy enter `.the galvanizingt tank or pot. and prior. totheir introduction into .the spelter contained in .that tank or pot.

bers. 28 and'. 29 :may be. properly positionedfor receiving aftube orppe P,..the"rotation.;'of these members is. synchronized: with respect. to. the operation. of.the .charging trough,j46.. For this purpose theshaft -31 is preferablyfprovided with to thed. wheel .64 similar. to a sprocket.'whee1ladjacent. which. is mounted Iamelectifcal.. switchj65 for actuatiombygthe teeth o r projectionsofV the. wheel..64,.the switch65 controlluingthe circuit for the-y motor53.. The sprocket wheel or. member64ghasthe same number.. of. teeth or. projections as there are, pockets or recesses in. theA rnembersgf28y29 so that;v the switch 65 is actuated eachtime 1a recess30. is.. positioned for receiving a tube orgpipe.

Oneway in which the .member-.64 may. controlythe. motorgSl is. indicated in Fig. 4 fromwhich itwll..be. seen that the power supplyleads L1 and .L2 -are c0n nectible with the terminals of the 'motor 53 .under con@ trolj'ofthe contacts 66a, 66h of a .contactor 66. The coil ,'66s` of the contactor 66 hasone terminalv thereof connected with the powersupply line L1 and .the. 0ther terminal thereof. connectedztov the power-supply line L 2 through vthe switch 65 when the .movable` contact of thelatter is' closed. in response. tonactuationby a tooth or projection ofy the sprocket wheel.. 64.; Inrparallelpwith the switch65 is a secondI switch 67,7 the movable contact ofwhich is. normally. open and providedwith a rollerr67a. riding upon fthe. periphery of aL dsk.|6 8'. carried by the shaft52., j This disk 68 is -provided with a notch into which .the roller.67a; isI adapted to,.drop when the charging trough 46 is in, its lowermost. position.

It will 4be apparent from'. the. construction justde? scribed that each,I time ato'othor projection on the member 64 actuates -the switch 65... the motor; 53. will be energized toj elevate the charging, trough .46.-` thus moving a pipe thereon .intof engagement withA thegmagnetic rolls or pulleys54`-57 .which rapidly longitudinal- 1y move thegpipejor. tube tinto the aligned openingst) of the members 28 and 29; this. movementof the tube or .pipe P being guided by the member 61.. The switch 67 is actuated as soon as the motor'53 begins. togrotate and insures thatthe. motorwill-fbe maintained energized for one complete movement of; the charging. trough 46 even thoughlthe sprocket wheel .64 willhave moved its, toothor projection beyondthe point releasng' ..the switch 65.

The pipe or tube PS Which is. fed into the. tank or; pot. 1 0 has its forward or lower end, moved by the project-V ing action. into engagement with a stop. member .69 ad-L jacent the .lower portion' of the.. tubular partof thetank or .potI 10, see Fig. 2. This stop. member 6 9. is pref-v erably formedas a partfof any annular member extending v.adjacent the inner periphery of theetank; or pot 10 and having approximately a 180 portionthere` of disposed in a.plane.extending substantially at right angles to .the shaft 31. Theremaining 180. portion of the member 69 is preferably disposed orwardlywith-- in the potlt)kv as an inclined cam portion4 or surface 70. Consequently, as the tubesor pipes P are Amoved in a circular pathwwithinthe tank 10, .the inclined sur face or cam portion .moves thesaid pipes-or tubes' P longitudinally forwardlywithin the tank during. the latterpart of their rotationuntil when thepipes or; tubes P have comejadjacent theopening 13 the forward ends thereofwill be projectingfabove the levellofv the.spel ter for removal therefrom.

Preferablythe pipes or tubes P.v .are..removed -from. thegalvanizing. tank or. pot in an inclinedposition and at slower rate thanthe saidvv .tubes orpipes .are n.- lroducedinto the. tankl or pot so. as to proyide for comfplete drainage .of excessmolten. speIter. 4therefrom rfIn not-mhoweyerh interfere rotation: of .the,.spidersr or members 28,"2.9@and..the pipes or. tubescarried thereby,

tubes is-.soarranged as to-impart Aa longitudinalmovement to thepipesvor-,tubes whilepermitting` a.- .].ateral movementl thereof.. :For this 'purpose the illustrated` `eII1- bodiment employs. one. or 4more` drag-out.rol1s op pul.

leysadjacentfthe 4discharge opening;13, which..pulleys .i or rollsnotfonly: exert alongitudinal force. Ourthe-pipes but Aare.. also .provided with. helical cam.` surfacesinthere` on: for4 receivingfand .guiding the tubes. laterally..dur ing their withdrawal., As e.sho wn,:.two.; such dragfout rolls; or. .pulleys 71,. .72 are: provided. which. a1 e;.identical 1n, construction.

. nature or electromagnetically provided as'jwill be; readily` ...Each of. the dragout rolls. onpulleys y715.72 is of .the magneticV type, such .that it .attracts and holds magneticallyf.. susceptible..materialstheretov as is -well knownn in the art, this magnetism-.being etherof. afzpermanent 74 preferably having a. plurality. of conv.olutions,tv in this 'mstancey two.. y The rolls orA pulleys 71; 72 are rotated-*together bysuitable meanswhich`v may comprise separate 4electrical motorsbut which in the Yillustrated em.- bodimen't is .shown asyincluding asingle motor 75..op. .erating' .through a speed reduction unit 76ato-drive a chain 77..,whichpasses Vaboutasprocket wheels connected with,.the axles., for the. rollers. Whilemagneticydrag out rollshave been. illustrated, it will. bep-apparent that suitable non-magnetic material, removing means. may. be

utilized'whenthe'pipes. orz-tubes treated are .not formed as. thepipes. ontubes P1 level.' of .the sp of. iron, steel or other. magneticallyisusceptiblematerial.

The operationofathe. drag-butt or removing! means. just described f will be.; readilyunderstood from an. inspectionjof. Figs. 1 and 6. from which itwll. be .seen that move in-the circularpathwithiny the: :tank or po.t l10. the lowerends..` ofthe pipes;` engagey thecanrl surface or p0rti`on,70- and, as a..result, thetubes. or `.pipes P are moved=longitudinally during the, latterpart of their movement in the.. tank so. that theends thereof are sequentially projected abovef the l elter at the. opening 13\'and adjacentrthe outer convolutionoi the 4cam,groove..74 in .the .dragout roll or p ulley71.` `As azre'sult; .theltube or.. pipe P is attracted. into, engagement withsthe drag7out-roll. or

pulley`71 .which imparts a longitudinal. movement.A t0.

thelatter due. to. its-rotation by the motor..75. Simultaneously .withfthe longitudinal.. movement, the helical` nature fof the groove 74,

.permits the,.tubes or pipes P to continue their lateral..

travel until thefinner end of thepipe or 'tube' P. has moved .longitudinally/forward of the rotatable member. or spider: 28.

Preferably .thespeed of withdrawal ofthetubes-g or pipes P. is I 'elatedfy tothe speed .o f .rotation. o f-.the `rotatable spider or sprockettype.members-.28,.Z9 suchtha't the tubes orpipes P beingwithdrawm are 4moved .transversely a distancefequal to. the. circumferential, space occupied by two. of. thev recesses or lpockets .30,.during the withdrawal period,. it. being...understood.- that`- sev.- eral. of the. tubes. or vpipes will be. in the processqofwithdrawal inndiierent stages. thereof at. any givenwtime.

orderY Vthatl this relatively slow rate of 'withdrawal may` 85 This.. relatively. slow. withdrawal facilitatesA complete drainage ofthe `excess molten spelter therefrom, thus preventing unevenness.v in the tinish=upon the pipes-or tubes'and reducing wastage ofthe-spelter. As the, pipes v or.-tubesA are. .withdrawn ifrom the Aztanlc, they maybe subjected to the-actonof1.an fairxwiper. ifgdesiredrwhich.wiper is nothowever -here illustratedv since it is of conventional construction.

The. pipes Pz may -be further.- conveyed longitudinally, after passing from the-.rolls or..pulleys71-, 72, ,by-` magnetic rolls-or -pulleyssuchas .-.78- which- :afer-identical in natureto -those designated 54-57 andractiV toz'impart longitudinal .movement-to the pipes or tubes. @While` qn1yonesnch.roll or-.'pu1leyf=78. is; shown; it willf b e rappreeiated..that4 any desired number-.may-f b e utilizedirwhich pulleys or rolls may be driven by any suitable means,

the drive here being shown as effected by the `same chain 77 as is utilized to rotate the drag-out pulleys 71, 72. The roll or pulley 78 projects the pipes or tubes P forwardly to a point above skids such as 79, the longitudinal travel of the pipes or tubes P being terminated by engagement thereof with a stop member 80, the pipes or tubes being allowed to drop by gravity onto the skids 79 assisted, if necessary, by the aid of a deflection cam or the like, to overcome the attraction of the pulleys 78. As the pipes or tubes P run down the skids 79, they may be subjected to a blow-out cycle utilizing superheated steam for removing loose particles from the interior of the pipes, which blow-out cycle is not however herein illustrated since it does not form a part of the present invention. The pipes or tubes may also be subjected to any other suitable treatment during their rolling upon skids or tracks such as 79, after which they may come to rest upon a cooling rack 81 from which they may be removed by any suitable means, not shown.

It is believed that the operation of the galvanizing apparatus as a whole will now be readily apparent from the above detailed description of the parts thereof. However, for convenience the operation is here briey summarized.

The elongated articles, such as pipes or tubes, which are to be treated with molten metal, for example, galvanized by immersion in spelter, are preferably rst subjected to suitable cleaning actions including pickling or the like and are then immersed in a ux bath indicated at 43 in Fig. l. From this bath the pipes are placed on a chain conveyor 45 in spaced relationship and moved thereby laterally through a mule furnace 27 utilizing exhaust heat from the galvanizing pot or tank 10, the rate of travel of the pipes being such that they are thoroughly heated to the proper temperature for the galvanizing operation. As the pipes emerge one at a time from the muflie furnace, they are received upon the vertically reciprocating trough 46 which is actuated in timed relationship with the movement of the chain conveyor 45 and the rotation of the spider members 28, 29 within the tank. This trough 46 therefore elevates each pipe sequentially into contact with the magnetic feeding rollers 54-57 which longitudinally move the tubes or pipes into the tank and into aligned recesses such as 30 in the rotatable members or spiders 28, 29, the insertion of the pipes or tubes being facilitated by longitudinal sliding movement on the fixed guide 61. During the insertion of the tubes or pipes into the tank or pot 10, they pass through the flux 63 maintained upon the top level of the spelter and then into the spelter itself. The members 28 and 29 are rotated by the motor 37 and hence the pipes are moved thereby in a circular path closely adjacent the side wall of the tank or pot 10 which is subjected to the action of the heating gases so that there is excellent heat transfer to the pipes or tubes and the spelter in contact therewith, thus facilitating the galvanizing action in much shorter time than has been heretofore possible. As the pipes continue their movement through the tank, the inner ends thereof engage the inclined or cam surface 70, thus projecting the tubes or pipes P forwardly until, as they near the opening 13, they sequentially extend beyond the upper level of the spelter and adjacent the drag-out roll or pulley 71 to which the pipes are sequentially attracted by magnetic action. As the members or spiders 28, 29 continue to rotate the drag-out roll or pulley 71 exerts a longitudinal force upon the tubes or pipes and at the same time the helical nature of the groove 74 permits lateral movement of the pipes or tubes so that they are longitudinally moved from the spelter at a rate of removal slower than the rate of their introduction thus facilitating proper draining of the excess spelter therefrom. The removing action of roll 71 is further assisted by the similar drag-out roll or pulley 72 and the withdrawn tubes or pipes are then longitudinally moved by one or more magnetic pulleys or rolls 78 to a discharge position above the skids 79 upon which the pipes or tubes fall by gravity and may be subjected to various cleaning or drying operations, if desired, the pipes or tubes collecting upon the cooling racks 81 for removal therefrom as necessary or desired.

It will therefore be apparent that, in accordance with this invention, an improved apparatus has been provided for treating elongated articles such as pipes or the like with molten metal, the treating operation being performed in a continuous manner with a minimum of attention or etort on the part of the operator or operators. Moreover,-

by virtue of the novel construction of the tank or pot, the articles are inserted and removed through a single relatively small opening in the tank, thus materially reducing the surface area of the molten material exposed to the atmosphere so that oxidation and introduction of impurities is materially lessened. Furthermore, the invention aiords material improvement with respect to conservation of heat due to the manner in which the heated gases are circulated about the tank or pot 10 and this circulation of the heated gases coupled With the manner in which the articles are moved within the tank or pot insures that the said articles are at a proper temperature throughout the treating operation, thereby materially reducing the time required therefor, which reduction ofl time for galvanizing is in the order of 40%. In addition, the means employed forintroducing the elongatedarticles into the tank and for effecting removal therefrom facilitates the automatic operation by reducing the man-hours necessary, while the relatively slow drag-out permits the proper drainage of excess molten material from the articles without, however, correspondingly slowing the rate of treatment of the articles, since the withdrawal rate can be slower than the rate of introduction.

The invention has been here illustratedand described as embodied in an apparatus for galvanizing metal tubes or pipes. lt will, however, be appreciated that the invention is also susceptible of use for treating other elongated articles with molten material. Moreover, it will be evident that changes may be made in details of the construction specifically disclosed. For example, rotation of the members or spiders 28, 29 may be intermittent, such as step-by-step in nature, rather than continuous and means other than those specifically disclosed may be employed for charging the pipes, tubes or other articles into the tank. Moreover, as mentioned above, removing or withdrawing means other than the drag-out rolls 71, 72 may be employed. Thus, if desired, the rate of withdrawal may be the same as the rate of introduction of articles into the pot in which event the drag-out rolls may be magnetic pulleys similar to 78. When the articles are not formed of magnetically susceptible material, other types of withdrawing or removing means may be employed. Furthermore, in some instances the tank or pot need not be cylindrical, in which event a suitable arcuate member or members will be provided in the pot to retain the pipes or other articles in the spider members as the latter are rotated. These and other changes which may be effected by those skilled in the art, after having had the advantages of this disclosure, are considered as comprehended within the ambit of this invention andy therefore the latter is deemed not to be limited by the specic constructions herein illustrated and described except as may be required by the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. An apparatus for treating elongated articles such as pipes or the like comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical pot adapted to contain article treating material and having an opening adjacent one end, means supporting said pot with its axis inclined at an acute angle and with the said opening adjacent the upper end of said pot, means adjacent said opening for longitudinally introducing into the pot through said opening the articles to be treated, means within said pot for moving the articles therein in a substantially circular path adjacent the side wall of said pot with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the said side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein, and means adjacent the said opening for longitudinally removing the treated articles from said pot through said opening.

2. An apparatus for treating elongated articles such as pipes or the like comprising an elongated substantially cylindrical pot adapted to contain article treating material and having an opening adjacent one end, means supporting said pot with its axis inclined at an acute angle and with the said opening adjacent the upper end of said pot, means adjacent said opening for longitudinally introducing into the pot through said opening the articles to be treated, rotatable means in said pot having article engaging portions for receiving the articles to be treated and moving them in a substantially circular path withiny said pot adjacent the side wall thereof with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the sald side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein,

pipes or the like comprising an elongated substantially: cylindrical pot VadaptedA to contain` the treating material and havinganopening-adjacent one end, means for long itudinally moving -the articles to be treated through said opening'andinto said/pot, means withm said pot for mov-ing the articles therein in aY circular path adjacentthe sidewall ofsaid;pot with the entire length ofr each article substantially equidistant from the side wall. of the pot-`-while moving in said path therein, means in said pot at' a location' remote -from'said opening engagingethe treated articles-duringtheir said movement in .the pot and acting upon the moving articles to sequentially elevate the endsjof the latterv above thesurface-*ofz the material in-said-potduring the latterpart of that movement, and means` adjacent the said opening engaging the elevated ends of the articles and applying Va. longitudinally directed force `thereon for removing the articles from the pot;

4; An apparatus as defined. in claim 3 ,wherein the .said means in the pot for elevating the ends of the articles above the material in the pot is a member having an inclined surface engaging the inner endsof the articles to project the latter longitudinally towards saidopening as the articles are moved in the pot.

5. An apparatus forapplying a molten material to elongated. articles. such as pipesy or the. like comprising an elongated pot adapted to contain themolten material', the saidI pot'being normally closedL except for an article introducilng` and removing opening adjacent one end, means for conducting heated gases about a maj-orl portion of the sides of said pot and out of contact Withsaidopening,

means adjacent said opening for longitudinally 'introduc" ing the articles to be treated into said pot through vsaid opening, means within said pot for moving the articles therein laterally through the molten material in agsubstantially closed plathwith the entire lengthof each article substantially equidistant from-the side wall, of the pot while moving in said. path therein, and means ,adjacent thesaid opening for longitudinally removing, the treated articles from said pot through the said opening.

6,. An apparatus for applyinga molten material toelongated articles comprising an' elongated' substantially cylindrical` pot adapted to contain the, molten material and having an opening adjacent one end, means for conducting heated gases about a major portion ofjsaid pot to maintain said material in molten condition, means for longitudinally moving the, articles to be treated through said openingandpinto said pot, means ,withinsaid pot for moving the. articlesthereinthrough the-moltern material in a circular path 'adjacent the inner side Wallfof said pot with the entire length ofeach article substantially equ'idistant from the side walljof the potwhiletmoving in said path therein, and means adjacentthe said opening for longitudinally removingthe treated articles vfrom 'said pot through the said opening.

7. An apparatus for applying a molten material,A to elongated articles such as pipes or thelike oOmPIising an elongated pot adapted to contain lthe .molten material, the said pot beingnormallyclosed exceptvfortan article introducing and removing opening adjacent,one, end, means for conducting ,heated gases about a major portion of the sides of said pot and out of oontactLwith isaidopen'- ing tomaintain said material in molten condition, means adjacent said opening for longitudinally.` moving the. articlesto be treated through said openingand into said pot, means within said pot for `moving the articlestherein laterally through the molten material in a substantially closed path with` the. entirel length of each article-sub stantially equidistant from -thesidefwall of the pot-while moving in said path therein, means in said pot engaging said articles during their movement in. saidv potjand acting during the vlatter par-t ofthat movement to sequentially elevate the ends of said articles above the surface of the mol-ten material. at said opening, and. means adjacent the said opening engaging the saidvelevated ends of the articles and applying a longitudinally directed force thereto'for removing the articles from thepot.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the said means in the p-ot for elevating the ends of the articles above the molten material is a member remote from said opening and having a surface inclined towards said openingl uponwhich the. innerendstof the treated 'articles Tidel asthey are movedthrough saidpot.

9. An apparatus for applying a. molten material'tolower end: of the p-ot, the said pot including an-upwardly extending portion surrounding the'said other opening providing an extension for the introduction. of material into saidpot, the height of said. extension being suiicientto maintain the molten Amaterial in7 said pot at a predetermined-level, mean'sfor conducting heated gases about a major portionl ofsaidl potand out of contact with said openings to maintain the material in molten condition, meansadjacent said onezopening for longitudinallyimoving i into said pot through said-opening the articles tobe'treated,

means within said'pot for moving the articles therein through the lmoltenY material in a circular path adjacent the side wall-of said pot with vthe entire length of each articles substantially equidistant from thev side Walliof the pot whileV moving inV said .path therein, and means adjacentthe said onefopening for longitudinally removing the treated articles from said pot through the said one opening;

10. An ,apparatus fory applying a.v molten material to elongated articles-such aspipes'or the' like comprising-an elongated substantiallycylindrical pot adapted tocontain the mol-ten materialand having an opening adjacent one end, means supporting said potwith its'axis inclined at an acute angle and with; the saidopening'adjacent the upper end of said pot, means for heating said pot to .maintain thev molten 'materialltherein in--liquid condition, ,means adjacent the said opening for longitudinally moving the articles to, be treated through said opening and into Vsaid pot, meanswithin said potfor moving the articles therein in a circular path adjacent the side wallof said pot with the entire length of eachv article substantially equidistant from thevside wall' of the pot while moving in said, path therein, means adjacenttthel said-opening for engaging and longitudinally removing the treated pipes from said pot through said opening, the ,said pot having a normally y the molten materialA and closed drain-opening,adjacent2 the lower end Vfor removing material in aliquid st-ate, and means adjacent the said drainage opening for receiving liquid materiall therefrom, whereby the molten material may be readily drained from said pot- When heating of the pot and treatingof articles are terminated.

yll. An apparatus;-for. applying a molten material to elongated articles such as pipes or thelike comprising an elongated substantially cylindricalpot adapted to contain normally closed except for an opening adjacent one end, means forconductngvheated gases about a major ,portionjof said pot and out of contact with said opening to maintain .the material'in molten condition, meansgadjacent said* opening for longitudinally moving the articles `to be treated into the pot through saidopening, a, plurality of rotatable members withinfjsaid pot having openingsadjacentjtheir peripheries for Asupporting and moving the said articles in a circular Apath adjacent the side *wall of said pot with theentire length of'each article substantially equidistant frornthesidewall of the pot While moving in saidpath therein, drivingmeansv 13.' An ,apparatus for applying a molten materialfto elongated articles such as pipes or the like, comprising an 4elongated substantially cylindrical pot adaptedv to contain the molten material and normally closed except, for an opening adjacent one end, ,means for conducting heated gases about a ,maior portion 0f said :pot and ,cua of c011- tact with said opening t-o maintain the material in molten condition, means adjacent said opening for longitudinally moving the articles t-o be treated through said opening and into said pot, means within said pot for moving the pot through said opening articles therein in a circular path adjacent the side wall of said pot with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein, and means adjacent the said opening for longitudinally removing the treated articles from said pot, the last-mentioned means including a r-otatable member having a helically arranged surface on the periphery thereof positioned for receiving the forward end of an article as it is returned to said opening by the means for moving the articles in said pot, and means rotating the said member whereby the said articles are longitudinally withdrawn from said pot while being circumferentially moved relative thereto.

14. An apparatus for applying molten material to elongated iron or steel articles such as pipes or the like, cornprising an elongated substantially cylindrical pot adapted to contain the molten material and normally closed except for an opening adjacent one end, means for conducting heated gases about a major portion of said pot and out of contact with said opening to maintain the material in molten condition, means adjacent said opening for longitudinally moving the articles to be treated through said opening and into said pot, means within said pot for moving the articles therein in a circular path adjacent the inner wall of said pot, a member in said pot at a location remote from said opening, the said member having a surface inclined towards said opening on which the inner ends of the treated articles ride during their movement in said pot thereby causing sequential projection of the other ends of the articles above the surface of the molten material at said opening, and means longitudinally withdrawing the treated articles from said pot through said opening including a rotatable magnetic member having a helical surface on the circumference thereof positioned for sequential attraction thereto of the projected ends of the treated articles, and means for rotating said magnetic member whereby the articles are longitudinally withdrawn from said pot while being circumferentially moved relative thereto.

l5. An apparatus for applying molten material to elongated articles such as pipes or the like comprising a chamber having heat insulating walls, a substantially cylindrical metal pot adapted to contain the molten material and supported within said chamber in spaced relationship with respect to the sides and top thereof, means for conducting heated gases through said chamber in contact with a major portion of said pot, the upper walls of said chamber and pot being normally closed except for openings adjacent one end thereof through which articles to be treated in said pot may be longitudinally introduced therein, means within said pot for moving the articles therein in a circular path adjacent the side wall of the pot with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein, and means adjacent said openings for longitudinally withdrawing the treated articles from said pot.

16. An apparatus for applying molten material to elongated articles such as pipes or the like comprising a chamber having heat insulating walls, a substantially cylindrical metal pot adapted to contain the molten material and supported within said chamber in spaced relationship with respect to the sides and top thereof with the axis of said pot inclined at an acute angle, means for conducting heated gases through said chamber in contact with a major portion of said pot, the upper walls of said chamber and pot being normally closed except for communicating openings adjacent one end thereof through which articles to be treated in said pot may be longitudinally introduced therein, means intermediate the walls of said chamber and pot adjacent said openings preventing the heated gases from contacting the molten metal or escaping through the opening in the chamber wall, means within said pot for moving said articles in a circular path adjacent the side wall of the pot with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein, and means adjacent said openings for longitudinally withdrawing the treated articles from said pot.

17. An apparatus for applying molten material to elongated articles such as pipes or thelike comprising a chamber having heat insulating walls, a substantially cylindrical metal pot adapted to contain the molten material and supported within said chamber in spaced relationship with respect to the sides and top thereof with the axis of said pot inclined at an acute angle, means for conducting heated gases through said chamber in contact with a major portion of said pot, the upper walls of said chamber and pot being closed except for openings adjacent either end for respectively permitting longitudinal introduction of articles to be treated into said pot and for adding material to or removing dross from the pot, means adjacent said openings extending between the walls of the chamber and pot preventing the heated gases from contacting the molten material or escaping from the chamber through the said openings, means within said pot for moving said articles in a circular path adjacent the side wall of the pot with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein, and means adjacent the article-introduction opening for removing the treated articles from said pot.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the said pot has a normally closed drain opening adjacent the lower end of the pot for permitting removal of material in a liquid state, and means adjacent said drain opening for receiving liquid material therefrom, whereby the molten material may be readily drained from the pot wheni heating of the pot and treating of articles are terminate 19. An apparatus for applying molten material to elongated articles such as pipes or the like comprising a chamber having heat insulating walls, a substantially cylindrical metal pot adapted to contain the molten material and supported within said chamber in spaced relationship with respect to the sides and top thereof with the axis of said pot inclined at an acute angle, means for conducting heated gases through said chamber in contact with a major portion of said pot, the upper walls of said chamber and pot being normally closed except for communieating openings adjacent one end thereof through which articles to be treated may be longitudinally introduced into said pot, means adjacent said openings extending between said pot and chamber walls preventing the heated gases from contacting the molten material or escaping from the chamber through the said opening in the chamber wall, rotatable members within said pot having openings adjacent their peripheries for supporting and moving the said articles in a circular path adjacent the side wall of the pot with the entire length of each article substantially equidistant from the side wall of the pot while moving in said path therein, driving means exteriorly of said pot connected with said rotatable members for rotating the latter with respect to said pot, and means adjacent the said openings for longitudinally removing the treated articles from said pot without interfering with the rotation of said members,

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 and further comprising means operated in timed relationship with the rotation of said members in the pot for controlling the delivery of articles to be treated to said pot.

2l. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 and further comprising a member in said pot at a location remote from the opening therein having a surface inclined towards said opening and which engages the inner ends of the treated articles during their movement in said pot to sequentially project the other ends of the articles above the surface of the molten material at said opening for engagement with said removing means.

22. An apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein the said removing means includes a rotatable member having a helical groove about the circumference thereof in which the ends of the treated articles are sequentially received, and means for rotating the last-mentioned member whereby the articles are moved both laterally and longitudinally as they are being removed from said pot.

References Cited in the lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 545,429 Lewis Aug. 27, 1895 1,707,711 Conti Apr. 2, 1929 2,184,610 Church Dec. 26, 1939 2,326,843 Ely Aug. 17, 1943 

